Thermoforming Packaging Machine Lifting Mechanism Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoforming packaging machines face the risk of fouling or contaminating products and films due to mechanical abrasion, grease, or oil from the drive unit and moving parts of the lifting mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The thermoforming packaging machine design relocates the lifting mechanism below the lower film transport plane, connecting the forming tool upper and lower parts via a traverse system to maintain a closed force flow, keeping drive and guide elements below the film transport plane, thus reducing contamination risks and allowing for a more hygienic configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lifting mechanism is positioned above the film transport plane, then the forming tools can be directly driven, but the risk of contamination to products and films increases due to mechanical abrasion and grease from drive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is relocated from above the film transport plane to below it, utilizing the vertical dimension to separate the contamination-prone drive elements from the contamination-sensitive film and product area. This spatial reconfiguration allows the forming tools to remain above the plane for direct operation while the drive mechanism operates below, eliminating the harmful contamination path.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lifting mechanism is relocated below the film transport plane, then contamination risk is reduced, but the force flow path becomes more complex requiring a traverse system
Solution Approach 1:
A traverse system is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the lifting mechanism below the plane and the forming tools above the plane. This intermediary component transmits the lifting force while maintaining the spatial separation, allowing the force flow to be redirected through a controlled path that eliminates contamination risk without fundamentally complicating the force transmission function.
3Volume of moving object
If the top film is guided close to the lower film, then space requirement is reduced, but hard films may be damaged by buckling if not deflectable
Solution Approach 1:
The forming tools are designed with differentiated local properties: the upper forming tool provides a shaping surface while the lower forming tool, positioned close to the lower film, provides support and guidance. This local quality differentiation allows hard films to be guided closely without buckling, as the lower forming tool prevents excessive deflection while maintaining the compact space configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoforming packaging machine with a top film forming station, wherein the forming tool upper part and the foaming tool lower part of the top film forming station are disposed above a transportation plane of a lower film. One of the forming tool upper part or the forming tool lower part are operably connected to a lifting mechanism by a traverse system. The lifting mechanism is disposed below the transportation plane of the lower film. The traverse system transfers a lifting force from the lifting device to one of the forming tool upper part or lower part through the transportation plane of the lower film.